On Saturday Evening a Significant M5.5 Earthquake struck near Cañete in Chile.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on May 10th, 2026. Last updated May 30th, 2026.

In the evening of Saturday May 9th, 2026, a significant MAG-5.5 earthquake hit under land 15 kilometer from Cañete in Chile. Around 3.2 million people have been exposed to shaking.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Chile, 15 kilometer (9 mi) east of Cañete in Biobío. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 35 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	May 9, 2026 22:34 (Santiago Time) - May 10, 2026 02:34 Universal Time.
Location:	15 km east of Cañete, Biobío, Chile. Coordinates 37°45'26"S 73°13'52"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 28 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.059 .
Depth:	35 km (22 mi) A quite shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 3.2 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 3.2 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

Moderate shaking and very light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 6,670 people. At V, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 1.6 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 3.2 million people were exposed to shaking in Chile , with level V (moderate shaking, very light damage) as the highest recorded. People were exposed to shaking in Argentina as well.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
23,420	II	Very weak	None
1,570,000	III	Weak	Probably none
1,628,000	IV	Light	Likely none
6,670	V	Moderate	Very light
0	VI	Strong	Light
0	VII	Very Strong	Moderate
0	VIII	Severe	Moderate to heavy
0	IX	Violent	Heavy
0	X	Extreme	Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Chile . Located 15 kilometer (9 mi) east of the epicenter of this earthquake, Cañete (Biobío, Chile) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Cañete is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Talcahuano is located 115 km to the north and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Concepción is located 105 km to the north and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Temuco is located 122 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
15 km (9 mi) W from epicenter	Cañete Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
33 km (21 mi) N from epicenter	Curanilahue Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
41 km (25 mi) NW from epicenter	Lebu Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
45 km (28 mi) E from epicenter	Angol Araucanía, Chile.	IV Light
57 km (35 mi) N from epicenter	Arauco Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
57 km (35 mi) NE from epicenter	Nacimiento Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
70 km (43 mi) NE from epicenter	Laja Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
73 km (45 mi) E from epicenter	Collipulli Araucanía, Chile.	IV Light
74 km (46 mi) N from epicenter	Lota Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
81 km (50 mi) N from epicenter	Coronel Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
84 km (52 mi) NE from epicenter	Los Ángeles Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
87 km (54 mi) E from epicenter	Mulchén Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
94 km (58 mi) N from epicenter	Chiguayante Biobío, Chile.	III Weak
95 km (59 mi) SE from epicenter	Victoria Araucanía, Chile.	IV Light
105 km (65 mi) N from epicenter	Concepción Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
109 km (68 mi) NE from epicenter	Cabrero Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
111 km (69 mi) SE from epicenter	Lautaro Araucanía, Chile.	IV Light
112 km (70 mi) S from epicenter	Nueva Imperial Araucanía, Chile.	IV Light
115 km (71 mi) N from epicenter	Talcahuano Biobío, Chile.	IV Light
115 km (71 mi) N from epicenter	Penco Biobío, Chile.	III Weak
122 km (76 mi) SE from epicenter	Temuco Araucanía, Chile.	IV Light
129 km (80 mi) N from epicenter	Tomé Biobío, Chile.	III Weak
162 km (101 mi) NE from epicenter	Chillán Ñuble, Chile.	III Weak
186 km (116 mi) NE from epicenter	San Carlos Ñuble, Chile.	III Weak
186 km (116 mi) S from epicenter	Loncoche Araucanía, Chile.	III Weak
191 km (119 mi) SE from epicenter	Villarrica Araucanía, Chile.	III Weak
203 km (126 mi) SE from epicenter	Pucón Araucanía, Chile.	III Weak
215 km (134 mi) N from epicenter	Cauquenes Maule Region, Chile.	III Weak
219 km (136 mi) NE from epicenter	Parral Maule Region, Chile.	III Weak
224 km (139 mi) S from epicenter	Panguipulli Los Ríos Region, Chile.
228 km (142 mi) S from epicenter	Las Animas Los Ríos Region, Chile.
229 km (142 mi) S from epicenter	Valdivia Los Ríos Region, Chile.
258 km (160 mi) NE from epicenter	Linares Maule Region, Chile.
275 km (171 mi) NE from epicenter	San Javier Maule Region, Chile.
279 km (173 mi) N from epicenter	Constitución Maule Region, Chile.
282 km (175 mi) S from epicenter	La Unión Los Ríos Region, Chile.
288 km (179 mi) S from epicenter	Río Bueno Los Ríos Region, Chile.
295 km (183 mi) NE from epicenter	Talca Maule Region, Chile.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is V.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 45 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 45 people have reported shaking in 21 places, all within Chile.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

Concepción, Bío Bío, Chile: 8 people.
Los Angeles, Bío Bío, Chile: 6 people.
Temuco, Araucanía, Chile: 4 people.
Penco, Bío Bío, Chile: 3 people.
Valdivia, Los Lagos, Chile: 3 people.
Chillán, Bío Bío, Chile: 3 people.
Angol, Araucanía, Chile: 2 people.
Arauco, Bío Bío, Chile: 2 people.
Chiguayante, Bío Bío, Chile: 2 people.
San Carlos, Bío Bío, Chile: 1 person.

5 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 5 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 4.7 magnitude earthquake hit 5 hrs later 5 km (3 mi) northwest of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.
Classification	Magnitude	When	Where
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.5	May 9, 2026 22:34 (Santiago Time)	-
Aftershock	M 3.5	30 mins later May 9, 2026 23:04 (Santiago Time)	8 km (5 mi) SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.7	5 hrs later May 10, 2026 04:03 (Santiago Time)	5 km (3 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 3.6	6 hrs later May 10, 2026 04:26 (Santiago Time)	1 km (0.6 mi) E from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.8	2 days later May 12, 2026 01:44 (Santiago Time)	29 km (18 mi) E from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 2.5	2 days later May 12, 2026 02:12 (Santiago Time)	5 km (3 mi) E from Main Shock.

More earthquakes coming?

The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since December 24th, 2023, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 68 km (42 mi) further southwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck on December 27th, 2020.

In total, 17 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 7 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor	Under Sea?	MAG-6.5 or stronger?	Shallow depth?
Explanation	Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami.	Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.	Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake	Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.5. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 35 km (22 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 30/05/26 00:28 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.